We are broadly interested in the host factors (genetic, immunologic, lifestyle) that tip the balance towards devastating fungal disease. Importantly, genetic and phenotypic analyses of a cohort of otherwise healthy patients who developed cryptococcosis informs our research directions.

At Rutgers, the Hargarten lab performs cutting-edge translational immunological research utilizing human in vitro systems and relevant animal models to molecularly characterize these factors.

These discoveries will have major clinical implications for the treatment of cryptococcosis as it will not only help identify future patients at risk for developing disease, but also aid in the development of novel therapies to restore specific immune responses deficient in patients. Finally, it will help to construct new paradigms to understand fungal-human interactions.

We are part of the Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine and the Center for Immunity and Inflammation at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School in Newark, NJ, part of Rutgers Health.